Lions Preseason Game 1 Tidbits

A few quick things about the Lions' first preseason game:

• Decker definitely is the LT this year. He got beat by James Harrison for a strip sack, which wasn't good, but he was decent overall
• Stafford's protection in general was pretty horrible though. He didn't have a ton of time or a good pocket to throw from. I'm not sure how much we can blame on the center not calling the right protection schemes and how much is due to the RB not reading the blitzes. Keep an eye on this as the first team starts playing more in these games. Glasgow might sneak into that unit if Swanson continues to struggle
• This might be a better WR corps than we had last year. It's amazing to think that despite the loss of Calvin Johnson, we'd be better off, but that's what I think. Golden Tate is actually a better target for Stafford than Johnson, since he's got better hands (70% catch rate to CJ's 59%) and he tends to get open at shorter distances, making Stafford's throw that much easier. Marvin Jones, the #2 WR, has top flight speed AND better hands (63% catch rate), and Anquan Boldin is far over-qualified as a possession WR. With guys like Kerley, Roberts, and Davis fighting for the #4 and #5 spots (all of whom seem better than last year's #3, Lance Moore), this looks like a pretty good position group
• This is the deepest Lions team I can remember. It's not the most talented, but we can afford an injury in almost every area. LB and TE are the 2 thinnest spots, so naturally that's where all the injuries have come from, but other than that... We've got a number of guys who can play in the defensive backfield. DT is a strong spot, although DE is a little weak. Offensive line is strong, WR is good, and we have a ton of RBs. We have a good kicker and punter, and there's another guy getting reps at both spots just in case. We even have 2 long snappers. Team depth is most evident when you look at special teams. In the past, this has been a weak point, but the Lions looked pretty good last Friday, especially on the 96-yd kick return

Here are the highlights in total:

There's not much else to take from this. The starters who even played only played for a couple of series. They got some yards but didn't score. Several of Pittsburgh's key guys didn't even play.

Good news though. DeAndre Levy was taken of the injury list, and presumably is ready to play this week. Andrew Quarless is also getting a look at the injury-depleted TE unit, despite his weapons charge and 2 game suspension to start the year. No real updates on Ebron's injury. It doesn't look super bad, but he's still not practicing. Cole Wick looked adequate in the first preseason game though, so odds are he starts the season as the starting TE until Ebron or Quarless can go.

Danny Kelly at The Ringer REALLY likes Golden Tate's odds to breakout as a star WR this year. He highlights the extra complexities that the Lions' new OC Jim Bob Cooter implemented last year, and how well Tate fit in that system. Some receivers are deep ball, downfield threats. Some are better route runners, good at finding space in the middle of the field. Some are crazy juking maniacs that excel at the bubble screen. Tate does all of these things, and then some. Put it this way - Tate is like Draymond Green, but for the WR position.

I'm starting to get more optimistic about this offense, if you couldn't tell. The passing game should be fun to watch, if Stafford can get some protection. Hopefully the running game is good enough.